World - Friday, June 26, 2026

The U.S. dispatched hundreds of rescue workers to help the Venezuelan government, as the injured overwhelmed hospitals and the death toll rose to 920. The Pentagon sent two ships, transport planes and helicopters.

Pentagon says strikes were in response to Iran’s attack on cargo ship in strait of Hormuz US says it struck Iran targets after attack on cargo ship on the strait of Hormuz Sign up for the Breaking News US email Hayes went on: As national security adviser to the president of the United States, Mr Bolton had access to and was responsible for safeguarding the most sensitive national defense information, including classified material. Mr Bolton knew how to handle classified information, where it should be stored, how it should be stored, and with whom he could share that information. Continue reading...

Hezbollah is not party to Friday's agreement, and previous ceasefires between Israel and Lebanon have still seen near-daily cross-border strikes.

A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the 108-story CITIC Tower, prompting an information blackout from Chinese authorities.

California governor calls for national tax on super-wealthy and suggests the US should own a stake in AI companies US politics live – latest updates California’s governor, Gavin Newsom , called for a national “billionaires tax” on Friday as he fights a ballot measure targeting the ultra-wealthy in his home state. Newsom, who is expected to run for president in 2028, published his proposal the day after California officials certified a ballot measure to levy a one-time 5% tax on residents worth more than $1bn. The initiative, called the California Billionaire Tax Act, was brought by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) and would fund the state’s healthcare, education and food assistance programs. Continue reading...

The Trump administration said it would commit aid, at a time when it has been expanding U.S. commercial interests in Venezuela beyond oil.

Secretary of State Rubio and PM Netanyahu welcome U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon as a step toward lasting peace.

Vanessa Silva visited the coastal state, where rescuers are still working to find survivors under the rubble after twin earthquakes rocked the country.

Fireworks prohibition comes alongside state of emergency as wildfires prompt evacuations and red-flag warnings Utah governor Spencer Cox has announced a state of emergency and accompanying temporary prohibition on the use of personal fireworks until 5 July. The announcement comes as the state experiences an unprecedented wildfire season with blazes that have prompted evacuations in Eureka, a small town about 80 miles south of Salt Lake City. Under the governor’s executive order, the state forester is allowed to ban the use of fireworks anywhere in the state. The order temporarily suspends a 2024 law that disallowed the forester from banning fireworks in cities across the state. Continue reading...

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